Smyrna times., 1887-08-31
AT HIGH NOON.

DantOn.
When Pierre volunteered to slip into
Quinquambo, to see what the Mexican.
were doing, it never occurred to him thar
there was the slightest danger.
QuinquambO was little mountain vii
lage, with a small garrison, and Pierre
determined to appear in The role of de
serteP. The son of a Spanish mother, he
did not look much like a Frenchman, and
spoke the language of the country like a
native.
But there was one thing that the scout
had not thought of. Col. Campos. then
commanding the post Of Quinquambo, had
served on the eastern coast in tho early
part of the war. If Pierre had known
this fact he would have blown out his
brains rather than play the spy in the VI
cinity Of the terrible Campos.
At sunrise the Frenchman walked bold
ly into the village and gave himself up TO
the first sentinel he met.
His story was plausible enough He
had lost faith in Macmillan and his
cause, and had grown weary of hard fight
ing and scanty ratiOns. Moreover. he
had fallen in love with a black eyed senor-
lta, and could no longer bear arms against
Mexico.
The sentinel called a corporal and the
story was repeated To these simple sol
dlerS it seemed that the deserter was tell
ing the truth. and nothing but the truth.
"Ah, that French devil, Bazainel" said
the corporal, ''he is frightened, is he not?''
"Comrade," replied Pierre. lyon have
spoken truly. BaZaine is in despair. His
men are deserting by hundreds. They
have nothing to eat and the usurper is
without money to pay them"
In few weeks they will be driven
info the - cofd ho
poral
''YOu speak like prophet answered
the spy.
In the presence of Col Campos the
Frenchman measured his words. The
veteran listened without showing any in
tereSt or surprise His brown. leathery
face never changed its expression. and his
eagle eyes were apparently fixed upon the
ground.
And You would serve the republicY" he
asked, cOldly.
''Try me-" was the enthusiastic re-
sponse.
"How am to know that your story is
true?''
LET me swear -" began Pierre.
''NOr' shouted the colonel in a voice of
thunder.
The officers and soldiers gave a start of
surprise, and for the first timc Pierre felt
uneasy.
'Bind him hand and footr' was the un-
expected order.
Despite his prOtestatiOns two men car
l1ed out the cOlOnels instructions. and
then braced the prisoner in a sitting DOS
hure against convenient wall
a year ago." said Campos, 81 can
tured that fellow near Vera Cruz. l shot
OIL the little finger on his right hand and
he mQFEnd
ms saher. The villain escaped that nirht
but another prisoner told me all about
him. He is not soldier. He is a spy.
lie has caused more trouble than any
other man in Bazaine's army. Now.
Pierre Danton, what have you to say?''
The colonel is mistaken" :" said Pierre.
Il never saw him before. and l am no
spy My name is Jean Rouville.u
"LookP' exclaimed a soldier.
A glance showed that the prisoners
right little finger was missing,
only coincidence, muttered Pierre.
Guard him WELL" said the colonel. |
NO court martial is wanted here" and |
the grim soldier walked off.
Securely pinioned as he was, Pierre saw
that he could not escape. His ewes roved |
restlessly about, but there was nothing to |
encourage him.
The barbaFians, " he growled. ''Thev /
viii butcher me IN cold blood. I doubt |
whether they will be kind enough to hing
me. That Campos looks like a fiend. and |
the chances are that he is even now in
venting some diabOlieal torture. Well. It
is the fortune Of war;
QuinquambO did not look very interest
ing TO the spy as he sat there propped up
against the coloneps headquarters There
was plaza and O few scattered houses
around It nKrapf IN agI
mad been destroyed by fire, There were
no citizens. The Inhabitants had aban-
dOned the town, leaving It to the garrison.
There are not moro than 800 of the
yellow rascals," museC the SPY. sT,ordl
Wouldnt like to see some Of our cavalry
come along. They would take the place
in the twinkling Of an eye"
just then two soldiers came along. and
hitting Pierre in their arms. carried him
10 the center OF the plaza The captive at
nTsI IHoueht that DIS hour had come. but
the men proceeded il sullen silence to tie
him 70 the mouth Of the solitary cannon.
an old fashioned twelve pounder. pointed
at the vacant side Of the square. They
iashed him with his breast to the muzzle
OF the gun 50 securely that it was impos-
sible for him to move
Pierre thought Of the brutal British
Iashion OF blowing Indian rebels from the
mouths Of cannon and wondered whether
he was to be servC& in the same wa.
1t win be talked about all over Mex
leo, saiG Col. CampOs, coming M. soTbe
French wiz get it into their heads that
they are all to be treated. in this way. and
very few viii be willing TO face such
death"
"Comrade," said Pierre to one of the
soldiers after the colonel had gone, ndoes
he mean itg"
hen the monday sin strikes that.''
replied the soldier, ''it win be all over.,'
Pierre looked and noted an iron frame
work over the breech Of the gun. Onthe
top OF this was round object so bright
ana Dazzling that it made his eyes blink.
Il do not understand, " he said.
..The burning glass there explained
the soldier us 50 placed that it fires the
powder exactly at noon. II never falls"
The victim shuddered. There was
something horrible in the idea OF BEING
killed by the bright luminary whose ravs
had al his life given him light and
wsrmth
lie knew that even IA the large cities of
Mexico what was called the niddav oun
was fired ia this ingenious fashion dnrine
the dry season. For six months in the
Sear there was never a cloud in tile sky.
and the action Of the lens was as sure as
fate itself
The guard paced up and down his beat
and Pierre was left to his meditatiOns.
lie struggled nptil his strength was
gones trying to loosen his bonds, but It
was useless.
Ills head fell upon his breast and he
closed his eyes, But he could not calm
himself, and he again looked around the
square. All OF the soldiers were march.
ing OF with the exception Of one company.
II wns evident that the French were not
supposed to Ie in the neighborhood
''Slfanger things have happened" 4"
thought Pierre; u may yet be rescued"
His eyes turned upward and lie saw
that the sun was almost directly over
head.
lie glanced down the gun to the prim-
fnr end Il seemed to him TINT he could